Misha B: Interview

Who needs X Factor? Or re-phrased: Who needs to win X Factor? Misha B didn’t win and by all accounts is looking like she never needed to. Since the release of her debut single ‘Home run’ back in July, the Mancunian has stormed into recognition and emerged as one of the UK’s hottest young breakthrough artists. We caught up with her as she discussed busking on the streets of Manchester, her new single and the naughtiest thing she ever did at school.

Hi Misha! How are you?
I’m great thanks, just touched down in Manchester! Can’t complain.

Have you been missing it?
Yeah definitely. There ain’t no place like home!

What are you up to during the next few weeks?
I’m gona be in the studio finishing off my album. On top of that, I’m on the road performing at various different venues across the country. Today, I’m playing at The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe.

How has the touring been going since the release of your debut single, ‘Home Run’?
The support has been mind blowing! You know, this week for me has been so great. We got A-listed on BBC Radio 1; the support and feedback around the single has been amazing, like from people who I never even knew had listened to the single; tweeting about it, tweeting links as well. The support has been there, which has been really, really, really, REALLY fun for me!

Can you tell us about your new single ‘Do You Think of Me?’
Yeah, it’s one of those songs that everyone can relate to. It’s different to my first single, it’s got a different feel to it, a little bit slower but with an upbeat hopeful feeling.

Lyrically, what is it about?
Everyone has been in a situation, where say, you’ve fallen out with your best friend or you’re not with your partner anymore or you may have lost someone. It’s all about wondering if they’re thinking about you.

Before X Factor, you did a lot of busking and performing on the streets of Manchester. What was the most bizarre experience you had whilst doing that?
I think the first day was the most bizarre! But having random people come up to me and cry because they were so moved by it, was for me, a really humbling experience. It’s the one thing that I can say I’m very proud of; getting over my stage fright and performing to people.

Have you completely overcome stage fright?
No, not completely. I don’t think I’ll ever be completely over it but I’ve learnt how to manage it now.

Have you busked since X Factor?
Yeah, I actually went back to Manchester and did a bit of busking with one of my friends who busks! How was it? Yeah, it was great! It was great to see that she is still doing what she’s doing and not giving up her aspirations or anything.

So, we’re a well-behaved student magazine. Were you a well-behaved student?
Yes, I was! Very, very, very well behaved. I’m actually at the college that I used to go to before X Factor right now! I used to study music, but before I came here I studied health and social care.

What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
I came in with my glasses on.

That’s not very naughty Misha…Yeah it is! You’re not meant to wear glasses inside! Say it had been raining and stuff, I’d come in wearing fully blacked out sunglasses.

Did you get shouted at?
Haha yeah. “Misha, get those glasses off now!”

Rebel! Who are you enjoying at the moment in the UK music scene?
I’m really enjoying Maverick Sabre, also Rita Ora, Labrinth, MIA…

There have been a lot of rumours about collaborations with your album, Missy Elliott being one. Can you shed a little light on this?
All of it is still up in the air. At the moment, I’m just focusing on finishing the album and the collaborations will hopefully come after.

Is there a date in mind you have for finishing the album? It should be out towards the end of the year, maybe as early as October!

Have you been trying to tackle many different genres or are you just sticking to one main theme? For me, the album is just a celebration of music and that’s it really. It will be heavily soul, but with other musical elements in there. You’ve got some RnB, a bit of dance. Feel good music!

We have a question sent in for you from Becky. She asks, “When did you first realise that this was something you wanted to do?”
When I was 15. I thought to myself, “Where do I want to go from here?” My passion for music was coming through and then I just started working towards making my dreams come true. Busking helped, and then X Factor came along as an opportunity, so I took it, and this is what happened.

What was it like first hearing that you had been accepted on X Factor?
Oh my gosh! I actually didn’t believe it at first.

How did they let you know?
They rang me. If they didn’t ring, you knew you didn’t get through. I just thought it was a friend playing a prank on me!

I’ve been checking out your Twitter; I quite like your mini profile: LIVE.LOVE. LAUGH. LEARN. LET GO. LIFE #DreamBig. Is that your life motto?
Yeah, one of my main life motto’s is: ‘Life is what you make it’. ‘Dream Big’ is my life motto. I’ve got a ‘Dream Big’ tattoo.

Sweet! Have you got any other tattoos?
Yeah, I’ve got one which is a music note but it’s also got a peace sign in it and a love heart!

So, what is the Misha B game plan?
Kind of taking everything as it comes. Just to be enjoying making music. I’d love to tour and maybe take my music worldwide. I’d love to tour around the world.